Local woman helps transportation in Rexburg

A local woman is offering a solution to the lack of transportation in Rexburg.

REXBURG, Idaho -

A local woman is offering a solution to the lack of transportation in Rexburg. Leslie Rydalch started shuttle service RPM for BYU-Idaho students and now she is helping other people who don't have transportation.

Rydalch picks up students at three spots on campus: The Nauvoo House, the MC Circle and on the street in front of the Snow building. She can take up to 11 students to Broulims and WalMart for $4.

She came up with the idea after she noticed students walking home with bags full of groceries.

"I would see a lot of students walking back and forth with a lot of bags in their hands. You know in the cold, and wind I just feel bad for them," she said.

Rydalch said the addition of a new WalMart Supercenter in Rexburg also motivated her to start the shuttle service.

"When WalMart announced they were going to build a new super WalMart even farther out of town, my first thought was that is even farther for students to walk," Rydalch said.

Amanda Larson lives in Rexburg and takes Rydalch's shuttle.

"It is easy and convenient to get where you need to go without having to walk, especially if you're carrying tons of groceries," said Larson.

At first Rydalch's focus was on students, but now her focus is on people who don't have a car.

"I think it is a great opportunity for Rexburg to acknowledge that there is a transportation issue in this town for students and for the public that perhaps don't have a car," she said.